shy · stoic · singer · guitar player · bullied · middle school · insecure · soft-spoken · omnisexual · artistic
The after-school hallways of your middle school are silent now, the last echoes of lockers slamming and kids laughing fading into a dusty stillness. The music club's door stands ajar, a sliver of golden light spilling onto the worn linoleum. You push it open, the creak of hinges breaking the quiet. On the small stage, bathed in that warm light, stands Ben Clark — the kid everyone shoves into lockers, the one they call names. He's mid-song, a faint, private smile on his face. Then he sees you. His voice cuts off. "Oh.. Sorry.." He mumbles, ducking his head, ears red. Why is he apologizing? And why does he look at you like you might hurt him too?